Vairimorpha apis Versus Vairimorpha ceranae, Replacement or Dynamic Prevalence?

Abstract

Nosematosis is currently a frequently discussed disease of bees caused by two species of microsporidia: Vairimorpha apis, and Vairimorpha ceranae. Vairimorpha apis represents the original species of Apis mellifera parasite, and Vairimorpha ceranae, is a species introduced from Asia. In the last two decades, epidemiological data on the growth of the prevalence of V. ceranae infection have increased, which has led to its dominant position at the expense of its congener V. apis, practically all over the world. This process is assumed to be the result of asymmetric competition within the host, where V. ceranae, showed a better ability to adapt to higher temperatures, which was first manifested by its spread in warmer climate zones. However, several results of studies from recent years somewhat unexpectedly showed that it is premature to talk about the complete replacement of V. apis by V. ceranae. They pointed to a greater influence of seasonality and average temperatures in winter and summer in a given year on the result of the current prevalence of infection and co-infection of Vairimorpha spp., regardless of the climatic zone in which the colonies were located. Considering the different clinical and subclinical manifestations of infection caused by V. apis, and V. ceranae, and its impact on the defense, survival and productivity of bee colonies, the aim of our work was to analyze the factors affecting the distribution and prevalence of Vairimorpha spp.